Salisbury Plain Training Area – September 2017 Newsletter

Salisbury Plain Training Area Newsletter September 2017 www.gov.uk/government/publications/salisbury-plain-training-area-spta-newsletter This Newsletter can be found at the above link

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September 2017 Newsletter

After a quiet August training will resume at moderate levels throughout the month of September. Armoured manoeuvre training will take place across all areas throughout the month with at least five local sub-units on the Plain each day. Activity will peak in the week 21 – 25 September when the Land Warfare Centre Armoured and Armoured Infantry courses deploy on Exercise COMBAT TEAM. 11 Signal Brigade will be running a major communications exercise for the majority of the month and Headquarters 3rd (UK) Division will conduct a command post exercise in the latter half of the month. Reporting of poor military discipline and potential dangerous training. Please report any concerns you have of poor military discipline or potential dangerous training activity that you have observed on the training area, for example, military personnel stopping civilian vehicles on the public highway to allow a military convoy to cross at a designated tank crossing point. The military must give way to the public and should only cross the highway when it is safe to do so. Please report all concerns to the Complaints Help Desk on 01980 620819 in the first instance.

GOVERNANCE Members of the public are reminded when on land subject to the Salisbury Plain Military Lands Byelaws 1981 (S.I.1981/1982) under Byelaw 5 it is an offence to fail to comply with the provisions of Byelaw 3. Under section 3(1(d)) no person may “engage in or carry on any trade or business of any kind whatsoever…” To do so may result in a Warning Off, whereby you will be asked to leave the Training Area or a fine being issued. In simple terms – this means for example Commercial Dog Walkers are not permitted to conduct their commercial activities on Military lands without prior permission, (meaning a commercial licence issued by the MoD). This does not affect your right to use public rights of way, but you are reminded that you are expected to have your dog(s) under effective control, as advised by the Countryside Code and must not interfere with military training.

RANGE FIRES Range Fires become a problem in dry weather and may endanger plantations, buildings and standing crops if there are strong winds, and can cause excessive smoke. On Salisbury Plain the MoD put in a vast amount of fail safes to ensure surrounding communities are safe and do not endure too much nuisance as a result of the military training that is conducted throughout the year. In order to prevent and control range fires occurring the following measures are in force: • 5 day weather forecast in order to mitigate the future effects of the prevailing weather. • A grazing programme agreed with local farmers in order to keep the grass short during the summer months. • Control of firing incendiary ammunitions during extreme dry conditions. • A fire watch scheme in order to ensure fires are constantly monitored. Salisbury Plain Training Area Headquarters strives to meet the military needs for realistic training whilst at the same time endeavouring to take into full account public concerns. We will continue to do so.

ACCESS Access to SPTA is regulated by Salisbury Plain Military Lands, Bulford, Larkhill and Imber Range Byelaws. Always comply with local signs and flags. Rights of way in Range Danger Areas are closed when red flags are flying.

This Newsletter is published up to 6 weeks before the event and changes may occur. Access timings for the next week can be found on the SPTA Walks Line: (01980) 674763. Imber Ranges. The public are excluded except when the roads are specifically opened.

A leaflet on public access to Imber is available online and should be read in advance of any visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/435909/Imber_A5_Leaflet-final_Online_version.pdf Larkhill Ranges. The permissive Byway that runs West from C Crossing on the A345 to the South East of Larkhill Racecourse will be sign posted as closed to members of the public from mid July to 23 Oct 17. Note. Dates may change if operational training needs dictate.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO REDUCE CRIME ON SALISBURY PLAIN? If any crime is taking place call 999, (or 101) and do not under any circumstances challenge the offenders. The new Rural Crime Partnership for Wiltshire and Swindon (hereafter ‘the Rural Crime Partnership’) has been established by Wiltshire Police in consultation with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon to provide governance for, and oversee delivery of, rural crime strategy. It provides coherence, direction and guidance to the delivery and apportionment of rural policing resources across the county in the context of the Community Policing Model. The first meeting was held at Wiltshire Police Headquarters on 18th October 2016, this is seen by Headquarters SPTA as a positive initiative in order to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour on Salisbury Plain.

BYELAW GOVERNANCE – ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Parish members are encouraged to report all illegal activity on Salisbury to the Wiltshire Police. If serious crime is experienced the 999 should be dialled, and for all other reports including: illegal off-roading, illegal motor biking, drone use, poaching, hare coursing, petty theft, camping on MoD land, kite flying please call 101 and list the call as ‘antisocial behaviour’ and a Byelaw violation. Once reported please inform Range control on the Plainwatch number: 01980 674700 or email PLAINWATCH@landmarc.mod.uk.

Health and Safety reminder for all Military Training Areas and Ranges: • Do not touch or tamper with Military debris. • Wash your hands before you eat. • Clean your footwear before you enter your car or home. Jim Russell WO2 (DTSO) for Senior Training Safety Officer Salisbury Plain